Delhi IAS Coaching Centre Flood: Basement Library, Faulty Gate - What Caused the Tragic Death of 3 Students?
New Delhi: Residents of Delhi were caught off guard by the unpredictable weather on Saturday, with heavy rains hitting certain areas like Old Rajendra Nagar, while others remained dry. This sudden downpour led to a tragic incident at Rao Institute, a coaching center preparing students for the UPSC exams. The basement of the coaching center, where many students were studying, became flooded, resulting in the deaths of three students: Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Naveen Dalvin.
In response to the flooding, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the fire brigade were dispatched to the scene. They worked through the night, using motors to pump out the water from the basement.
How the Incident Unfolded
The heavy rains on Saturday caused the basement of the Rao Institute in Old Rajendra Nagar to flood rapidly, trapping many students inside. The basement, which was about 9 feet deep, filled completely with water. Preliminary investigations revealed that the library, located in the basement, was occupied by 30-35 students at the time of the incident.
As the water level rose, students tried to stay above it by standing on benches. The pressure from the rising water eventually caused the glass windows in the basement to shatter. While many students managed to escape or were rescued using ropes, some remained trapped. Normally, the library closes at 7 PM, but due to the ongoing rain, students were unable to leave. The flooding was exacerbated by clogged drains, which prevented the rainwater from draining properly and caused the roads to flood.
Government's Response and Inquiry
In response to the incident, Delhi Minister Atishi directed the Chief Secretary to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances that led to the students being trapped in the flooded basement. She demanded a report within 24 hours and assured that those responsible for the tragedy would be held accountable.
Political Reactions and Allegations
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj placed the blame squarely on the Delhi government, particularly criticizing the local MLA Durgesh Pathak. She alleged that despite repeated requests from local residents to clean the drains, no action was taken. "These children came here to build their future, but the Delhi government did not listen to the local people. The basement is completely filled with water, and the furniture is floating. The Kejriwal government is responsible for these deaths," she stated.
The tragic deaths of these students have sparked a demand for accountability and immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
